We live in a world that will never become different. It will never repent and will never turn away from its sins. However sincerely we may desire to change this world, it will not become better.
Satan and his angels will likewise never repent or become different.
The world is rushing toward its destruction. It has already made its choice, and nothing can change that decision. We must remember this so that we will not be naive, thinking that someday everything will change for the better. However wonderful the benefits of this world may be made to appear to us, its fate is already known, and we should never forget it.
But we have still been given time to live here and make important decisions: to choose whose side I will be on and which master I will worship. I must make this choice myself. No one has the right to decide these questions for me. Nevertheless, the forces of good and evil can offer their help in making the decision and assist in confirming my choice. And this subtle boundary passes very close by within my mind.
I live near the border with France. When I travel to that country on business, I turn on the navigation system, which shows me the best route to my destination. The national border is marked on it in an interesting way: it is a very thin black line that clearly shows where each section belongs to one country or the other. Sometimes I drive along a road that belongs to Germany, while the roadside and the field already belong to France. Nothing marks this—there are no signs and no fences—but when I cross that line, the navigation system immediately tells me that I am already in another country, although I cannot see it. Every time I cross the border, I think about the fact that I am now under the jurisdiction of another state with different laws, and its authorities have the right to do with me what they consider necessary if I have entered their territory. But while it is a time of peace, no one is interested in me as long as I violate nothing.
The kingdoms of darkness and light have their own rules and territories with their own laws. Although God is over all, He nevertheless allows the prince of this world to establish his own statutes in his state and to live by them, having authority over all his citizens. But there are exceptions connected with the fact that God is the Master of life and the Originator of the plan of Salvation from this kingdom of sin, and the final word in this matter belongs to Him.
For the sake of His children, God still protects and preserves this world, sending light, rain, warmth, and many blessings. Although our planet is doomed, it still lives and flourishes. Amazing things surround us on every side. New inventions astonish us with their fantastic possibilities. And at the same time, people live in sin without any punishment from above. It even seems that no one is troubled by conscience. Peace and safety are everywhere. There are crises and problems, but a way out is found, and life continues toward a bright future. People hope that everything will be well; they believe this and strive to attain this ‘well-being’ in their sins. The wine of Babylon is available to everyone and is offered in beautiful packaging embossed with gold, captivating the mind with its exquisite taste and appearance. This wine is pleasing to human beings.
But right beside it lies the territory of an entirely different state, where its own laws and rules operate, where there is much Light and love, and where everyone lives together in happiness while looking to his Saviour Jesus. For the sake of these people, God still shows His mercy to the rest of the world, desiring all to be saved and to come to repentance.
But the boundary between these worlds exists, and the laws operate. This boundary is invisible to my ordinary eye; there are no fences and no signs. But if the biblical navigation system is turned on in my mind, it shows very clearly where foreign territory lies and warns me of danger.
I may visit the enemy’s territory only with the access granted by God, in order to do what He commissions and to win what needs to be liberated. But if I enter merely out of curiosity, I fall under the enchantments of the prince of darkness and risk losing the purity of my mind and becoming a victim of the wicked one’s schemes. It is impossible to be safe in the enemy’s territory.
But God places in my hands a light that draws attention to itself, and then the most interesting part begins.
Fishermen know that if lamps are lit at night, certain fish will swim toward the light and become easy prey. In the same way, very many people are drawn to God’s light, but there are no nets and fishing rods to catch these seeking souls. And even when they exist, they often remain unused.
As a result, thirsty souls begin asking us to show them Jesus, the beauty of His love, the power of His grace and patience, and to give them hope of acceptance. But they do not know how to ask for this, and therefore they ask in the only way they know—with mockery, shouting, insults, accusations, intimidation, and pleading. I must understand that this is a request and show them Jesus in my response, so that they may be convinced that He exists and has not changed, and that He still loves and saves.
The awareness that death is inevitable moves many people to seek a way out; they try to understand what will come afterward. Christ has the answers and communicates them through me.
The human soul seeks words of love. It drinks the wine of this world, but does not quench the soul’s thirst with it. It performs good deeds, but finds no rest. It lives in sin, but does not possess the peace that love alone gives. The human soul was created for love, and when it hears this voice, it rushes to meet it. It desires freedom but does not understand this. The will has submitted to the power of darkness and accepted citizenship in Satan’s kingdom, taking the surname of its husband. Although the soul thirsts for freedom, it no longer understands what to do with it. And the enemy of souls teaches: you may do evil to everyone but expect good toward yourself, and you will fare well with me. If you are caught and punished, ask for mercy and continue living in your sins. How can one escape from this whirlpool?
There is a way out! Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. And everyone who believes in Him shall live—and live happily.
Although the world is beautiful in outward appearance, like the Titanic it is sailing on its final voyage, never again to return to a quiet harbour. Is it worth buying a cabin on this ship and making it comfortable? Yet I do this, thinking that my Lord delayeth His coming.
Happiness, love, joy, and friendship are very near. They can be touched, embraced, and even tasted. But to possess them, one must take them and begin using them, studying from within the design, power, and beauty of what has been received.
A tank is a very good means of breaking through defences and capturing new territories. But if a new recruit is placed in it without being taught anything, how much will he accomplish in battle? Yet for some reason, in regard to love it is commonly believed that it is easy to operate and that even children can fight with it. But when an urgent need for it arises, the engine stalls, and you stand there full of love but without the power to act.
The world needs love. It awaits love’s influence so that at least those who are still thinking may be saved. And these people need fishers who will catch them in their nets, draw them to Jesus, show them love and friendship, and teach them to live in love.
Homework 122
What precious thoughts did you gain for yourself from this lesson? What choice will confront a person living on earth in the last days? What does the enemy offer people so that they may attain their ‘well-being’? And what way does Jesus offer? Is it worth spending time making our lives comfortable now? If so, how? How can we learn to use the gift of love wisely? What do God and the souls thirsting for love expect from us? Please read Isaiah 44:3; Matthew 5:3; John 7:37; Revelation 21:6; 18:2, 4–5; 1 Thessalonians 5:3, 7–9; 2 Thessalonians 2:7–8; and Matthew 28:19–20 in the light of our lesson.